Richardson is blessed with outstanding leadership. However, maintaining high-quality leadership in a thriving community of 97,000 is a complex challenge.

Leadership Richardson brings together a cadre of emerging community and business leaders and encourages them to dream about and to care for their community.  With a better understanding of Richardson's strengths and weaknesses, participants then make their own investments in its future through their leadership commitment.  Leadership Richardson provides a unique opportunity to expand your horizons and learn of the many ways to be of service to your community.

Over a nine-month period, September through May, Leadership Richardson participants meet in all-day sessions, one Friday a month.

The September orientation is a two-day retreat designed to teach teamwork, cooperation, and leadership. Class members also participate in a challenge-by-choice ropes course.

The October and May half-day sessions focus on the development of personal and organizational leadership skills as related to community trusteeship.

From November to May, the monthly sessions focus on a major area of community concern. These sessions, planned by the participants, are mixtures of information, problem solving and interactive activities devoted to a specific topic. The topics include city government, cultural arts, business and economic development, education, health care, public safety and social services.

Time Commitment

Applicants to Leadership Richardson must fully understand that participating in the program is a serious time commitment. In addition to the monthly Friday sessions:

•  Participants are assigned to a session committee that meets on an as needed basis to plan one of the topic sessions.

•  Participants are expected to complete a homework assignment in preparation for each session.

•  Participants are expected to attend a Richardson City Council and RISD Board of Trustees meeting and complete two bridge activities that will acquaint them with potential leadership opportunities outside of their area of expertise.